Keith Vaz offered Labour candidacy for sixth term

The Indian-origin MP has been chosen as Labour Party candidate from Leicester.

Indian-origin British Parliamentarian Keith Vaz has been chosen as Labour Party candidate from Leicester East for the next general election for a record sixth term.

The general election is scheduled to be held in May 2010. If the current Parliament completes the full-term, Vaz will become the longest serving MP from Leicester East.

Vaz, who was first elected to from Leicester East 20 years back, had defied a national swing and won the seat with a majority of 15,876 votes. It is now the safest Labour seat in Leicestershire and the 64th safest seat in the country.

"Keith Vaz is an outstanding local MP. He has served the people of Leicester East with dedication and hard work. Party members have given him their full support," councilor Joan Ryan said